Williamsburg

March 20, 2010|By By Dan Parsons | 247-7840

WILLIAMSBURG — Faced with about a $1 million revenue shortfall, Williamsburg's proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 contains two layoffs and reductions in expenditures to several major city-funded agencies, including two that promote tourism.

The proposed budget comes in at $31.07 million, a 3.16 percent decrease from the current fiscal year. The budget assumes no tax increase and a reduction in city staff of three positions, from 185 to 182 employees. The city began fiscal 2009 with 202 positions, but has eliminated 20 jobs through attrition and consolidation.

Of the positions still to be cut, one is an already vacant job in the city's Code Compliance Division, City Manager Jack Tuttle said. In addition, one employee each from the city's Street Division and Landscape Division will also be laid off. In one positive jobs note, Tuttle's budget proposal recommends restoring funding to one of two police positions not funded in the current fiscal year.

About a third of proposed spending reductions, or about $300,000, will be taken from tourism-related agencies. Tuttle has recommended giving the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance only $1.9 million next fiscal year, down from $2.2 million the agencies received this year. The budget also calls for a change in the traditional 60/40 split between the two agencies — it recommends that the foundation will receive $1.2 million, or 67 percent of the outlay, while the chamber will get $627,000, or a 33 percent share.

The budget also raises some fees at recreational facilities. Fee increases at Waller Mill Park and the swimming pool at the Quarterpath Recreation Center will help the city cover the costs of operating those amenities.

Tuttle is proposing a $2 per vehicle fee to use Waller Mill Park, which costs the city $231,350 per year to run. The fees, which would be collected by installing automated gates at the park entrance, should bring in $200,000 per year on top of an estimated $80,000 from existing fees like boats rentals, Tuttle said. He also proposed cutting hours as well as raising fees at the Quarterpath pool. Hours will be reduced from noon-7 p.m. daily to noon-5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Admission would be raised to $3 for children, $4 for adults.

Williamsburg proposed fiscal 2011 budget

• $31 million — down 3.16 percent from current budget of $32.1 million

• 3 positions cut (two layoffs)

• $300,000 reduction in spending to promote tourism

• No pay raises for city employees

• A 1 percent increase, to $6.98 million, in the city's contribution to Williamsburg-James City County schools